Who's Who - Lachlan Clear

I have known Lachlan since he was a baby and watched him grow into a confident young man who always seems so positive and who endeavours to overcome all the obstacles in his life.

In 2010 he won a Frank Likely Trust Award which helped him (in a small part) to compete in the 2010 Access Worlds in the UK. At that event he convinced the organisers to bring the championships Down Under and thus he was instrumental in the 2012 Access Worlds coming to MHYC. This was one of the best events I have ever been involved in and I thank Lachlan for that.

As part of those championships, we (with Lachlan’s help) were able to obtain a NSW Government grant to build the accessible lift, that has not only helped people like Lachlan, but many others in our club access our top level.

Lachlan has just been awarded the winner of the 2021 NSW & ACT Para Sailor of the Year. We ask Lachlan:

Tell us a little about yourself and how you got into sailing.
I’m Deaf and have Cerebral Palsy. I was influenced to go sailing by my dad (Tony Clear) when I was 7 months old. He was sailing on a boat called “Ex-tension” which won the Sydney to Hobart in 1986. Also, my dad’s family were sailors and fisherman. That’s how sailing led me to my destiny - it has always been in my blood.

What has been the hardest obstacle that you have had to overcome to pursue your interest in sailing? 
Before 2020, communication with the other sailors was my biggest barrier because sign language (known as Auslan) is my first language. There are not many sailors who know sign language because they do not have a lot of involvement with the Deaf Community. So I always had to ask my dad to do me a favour and to help. But dad is very busy with family and work, and for that reason I haven’t had much time sailing with him recently. 
After 2020, I got an interpreter and support worker through my NDIS fund. It’s been great communicating via them. I have learned that some boats are not suitable for my physical capabilities, like a 23ft sailboat without seat track and maintenance parts! My support worker has done an amazing job to help me move around on the boat.

Can you list your major achievements over the years?
Oh, there were many achievements for about 15 years…

• In early 2006, when I was 15 years of age, I sailed for my first time alone on 303 Hansa at MHYC. 
• In 2008, I sailed in my first regatta with my dad in Hansa Australia Championship. 
• In 2010 I went to the UK with my dad for Hansa World Championships and then also sailed in the 2012 Worlds at MHYC.
• Taking my 303 Hansa alone, sailing for adventure a few times - like across the lighthouse in Middle Head, once Gosford to Saratoga and from MHYC to Manly. 
• In 2013, I sailed for 2 weeks on the Lord Nelson Tall Ship from Fremantle in Western Australia to Adelaide in South Australia. 
• Then I brought Liberty and sailed in a regatta in Melbourne. In 2018, I won 1^st place in NSW Championships and 3^rd place Australia Championships. 
• In 2020, I sailed on a 23ft sailboat at Rushcutters Bay with my interpreter and support worker for the Twilight Regatta.

What do you like most about sailing?
It’s part of nature in my mind as I love to read the sky and water like puzzle games. I can’t help myself with these kinds of feelings. My sailboat has taken me further to the sea and makes me feel connected to its spirit and its creatures. I can leave all the problems around me. This is the way to freedom - like the spirit of an albatross.

Are there times in all those adventures you have had that really stand out because they were enjoyable; or frightening; or just memorable? 
One time in the Rushcutters Bay Twilight Regatta, I experienced a mixture of these feelings. We came first place  and I felt sheer delight facing the strong winds. Then suddenly the mast broke, and I almost died as the boom hit the side of my face. It was very scary, and I was lucky to be alive as the boom actually hit my shoulder. Then I had a flashback about my dad’s old film of myself as a tiny boy crawling about on a sailboat. After the mast broke, I was crawling about, and my support worker helped me into the cabin before the mast came fully down to crush me. I ended up in emotional tears as I thought that at that moment I was dead and I might never sail with my dad again!

What has been your proudest achievement on water and at MHYC?
My proudest achievement was recently when I became the President of Deaf Sailing NSW and set up an event “Come and try sailing day” at MHYC. Many Deaf people came and were inspired by me. It was then that I realised my determination, for over 30 years, to become successful.

What is the one thing that you love about MHYC?
I love to have peaceful drinks and enjoy sitting at the club viewing the sunset, sailboats and luxury modern houses nearby. It is like living in paradise. The club has wheelchair accessible facilities and heaps of great people around me that say hello. It makes me feel at home. MHYC has always been in my heart for the whole of my life.

What is still on your Bucket list to achieve in sailing?
I would love to have a job in Maritime area and also compete in sailing regattas with Deaf people at Rushcutters Bay, Pittwater, Dobroyd, and Newcastle. Then I want to set up a Deaf crew to sail in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. Also, as a great challenge, I want to go sailing on my Liberty from Melbourne to Geelong. 

After that, I would like to buy a bigger sailboat and do more great adventures and probably raise a family and go sailing around the world in 10 or 20 years from now. It’ll be a good story in my life as I am writing a book.

What do you enjoy doing outside of sailing?
Meet heaps of sailors at the different sailing clubs and make new friends.
 
Julie Hodder
Membership Committee

Read more: Who's Who - Lachlan Clear